Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Chris Columbus
September 10, 1958
Spangler, Pennsylvania, US
68 Years Old
Virgo
Who Is Chris Columbus?
Christopher Joseph Columbus is an American filmmaker known for his ability to craft beloved family blockbusters. He has a distinctive touch that brings heartfelt humor and adventurous spirit to the screen.
He first gained widespread public attention with the immensely successful Christmas comedy Home Alone in 1990. The film's critical and commercial triumph firmly established Columbus as a major director in Hollywood.
Early Life and Education
Growing up in Champion, Ohio, Christopher Joseph Columbus enjoyed drawing storyboards and reading Marvel Comics, early interests that foreshadowed his career. His parents, factory inspector Irene Mary Puskar and aluminum plant worker Alexander Michael Columbus, fostered a working-class environment.
Columbus attended John F. Kennedy High School before enrolling at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where he developed his passion for filmmaking. While in college, he secretly worked on a screenplay during a factory job, an experience he later said “saved his life.”
Notable Relationships
Christopher Joseph Columbus married Monica Devereux in 1983; she is a former dancer and choreographer who has made cameo appearances in his films. The couple has four children: Eleanor, Violet, Brendan, and Isabella.
Eleanor Columbus, following in her father's footsteps, has also become a filmmaker and appeared as Susan Bones in the first two Harry Potter movies, directed by her father.
Career Highlights
Chris Columbus has directed numerous iconic family films, with his R-rated script for Gremlins capturing Steven Spielberg's attention in the 1980s. He later directed the massive box office hits Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire.
He then launched the globally successful Harry Potter film series, directing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which together grossed over $1.7 billion worldwide.
Columbus also co-founded 1492 Pictures in 1994, producing films like Night at the Museum and earning an Academy Award nomination for producing the drama The Help.
Signature Quote
“I can understand the validity of showing people the ugliness of the world, but I also think there is a place for movies to leave people with a sense of hope.”